"You would disobey the Dragon Lord's orders?"
Raon nodded calmly as he heard the cold voice of the Gold Dragon Bartius.
'I expected that answer.'
Through fighting with Bartius and the other dragons, he had come to understand their personalities and tendencies. He had thought they were different from the other dragons he had seen so far, and as expected, they seemed to want to go against the established path.
"You don't seem surprised."
Bartius narrowed his eyes as he looked at Raon.
"Did you know?"
"I felt it in your fighting style."
Raon drew a thin smile as he looked at Bartius and the dragons standing behind him.
"That you want to live a different life from the Lord and the Ancient Dragons."
Bartius and the other mature dragons didn't rely solely on their innate mana, but showed unique fighting styles using self-developed magic and abilities. Though they might not have the same power as the Ancient Dragons, they were much more difficult and tricky to deal with.
-Damn it all!
Wrath shook his trembling clenched fist.
-How can these lizards be so impossible to hate!
He squeezed his eyes shut, wondering why these lizards had such personalities.
'I know. They're different from the garbage Lord and Ancient Dragons.'
The mature dragons, including Bartius, didn't spread malice in the world, didn't cowardly protect themselves, and didn't only appear when the situation was favorable to them. There was no reason to hate or dislike them.
"I see."
Bartius smiled faintly, seeming to sense the goodwill in Raon's words.
"Of course we're different from those old ones! There's nothing to learn from them!"
The Red Dragon named Valasiur exhaled a long breath through his nose.
"You noticed that? You've got good eyes!"
The Blue Dragon Sirtiren clapped her hands with a bright laugh.
"I too could read your willpower during our duel. This is a feeling only those who have fought directly can understand."
The White Dragon Bursiarabi lowered his gaze calmly.
"Hmph! Of course you'd figure it out after coming here and challenging us to a fight."
The Black Dragon Dariauran nodded while rubbing the back of his head where Raon had hit him.
"But I want to know the reason."
Raon looked at Bartius and the other dragons in turn.
"Why would you disobey the Lord's orders?"
Those mature dragons wouldn't suffer any harm if they just stayed quiet until the war broke out, so Raon couldn't understand why they would step forward and disobey the Lord's orders.
"Dragons are an individualistic race."
As Bartius spread his fingers, images of numerous dragons appeared and scattered in different directions.
"Even if they are elders of the clan with more years, we don't have to unconditionally follow their words."
He nodded slightly, saying it was different from human relationships.
"But the Dragon Lord's orders are different."
The images of dragons that had left Bartius's hand gathered back to him.
"The Dragon Lord is the leader recognized by all dragons, so following his orders with the highest priority is the principle."
He explained that for this reason, they had been hiding themselves in accordance with the Dragon Lord's orders until now.
"If it's a principle, that's even higher than an order. So why would you break it now?"
Raon lowered his chin, telling him to get to the point.
"Because it's cowardly."
Bartius put into words the feelings he had when thinking about the dragons.
"Cowardly?"
"Yes."
He clenched his fist audibly, as if just thinking about it irritated him.
"Dragons are the mediators of this continent. Of this dimension. We are a great race that regulates this world to flow naturally by preventing interference from other dimensions."
Bartius looked up at the sky and let out a heavy sigh.
"That's also why we are the first to step forward and risk our lives fighting the Demon King's descent. If we didn't have such a mission, there would be no need to be born as strong as we are now."
He frowned deeply as he spoke about the reason for dragons' existence.
"But the Lord and the old ones of the clan are ignoring that mission and only looking after their own greed. They run away from the Demon King out of fear, they put pressure on humans because they're strong. They've started doing disgusting things in the name of being mediators!"
Bartius stared intently at Raon as he said the word "pressure."
"Even so, all of this was within an understandable range. Given our individualistic nature as a species, I thought it was pathetic, but not enough to disobey the Lord's orders."
He gritted his teeth, saying that what came next was truly worth getting angry about.
"That's right. Though it's ugly, wanting to preserve one's life is the instinct of every living being."
The Blue Dragon Sirtiren shrugged her shoulders.
"I was annoyed by that too! I wanted to burn it all to ashes!"
The Red Dragon Valasiur shook his head firmly, saying he didn't want to accept it from that point.
"Anyway, the reason we decided to disobey the Lord's instructions wasn't because of the Demon King. Rather..."
Bartius raised his finger to point at the sky.
"It's because of the Archangels and Angels."
He deeply furrowed his brow, as if openly displaying his anger.
"As I said, dragons as mediators must prevent beings from other dimensions from interfering with this world. That means not just the Demon Kings from Devildom, but also the Archangels and Angels are targets for removal."
Bartius growled like a beast as he mentioned the Archangels.
"If the Archangels were also your elimination targets..."
Raon let out a hollow laugh as he listened to Bartius's words.
"Have you been pretending not to see them until now?"
The Dragon Lord did not care about the descent of the Archangels, unlike when the Demon King descended. Raon had thought they accepted the Archangels' descent because they were different from the Demon King, but hearing Bartius's words, it seemed they had been ignoring something they should have eliminated.
"Yes. The old ones of the clan not only turned their backs and ran away from the Demon King, but they even pretended not to notice the descent of the Archangels. No, rather they showed the shameful behavior of welcoming them with open arms."
Bartius deeply furrowed his brow as if disgusted by the elders of his clan.
"On top of that, the Lord even made a deal with Derus Robert, who summoned the Archangels. Seeing that, I could no longer tolerate it."
He clenched his fist until it bled.
"It's better to die fighting. I don't want to live dishonorably."
The Black Dragon Dariauran emitted such a strong killing intent that it raised goosebumps on the hand that was rubbing the back of his head.
"I'll die together with them, even if I have to use my poison to curse them."
He pressed his lips tightly, saying he could sacrifice his life for the mission.
"I agree. Whether they came down from above or crawled up from below, trash is just trash."
The White Dragon Bursiarabi pressed his foot against the ground and raised his chin toward the sky.
"Actually, we knew that a Demon King had descended in the Suphren Holy Kingdom, but we had to stay still because of the Lord's instructions not to move."
Bartius looked at Raon. His gaze was cold, but its target seemed to be elsewhere.
"But as soon as we heard that you were the human who drove away the Demon King, we disobeyed the Lord's instructions to stand by and came here."
"Does that mean it's because of me?"
"Because you're different from both the Lord and the old ones of the clan."
He looked at Raon with eyes that radiated heat.
"Raon Zieghart. Whether your opponent is a Demon King, an Archangel, or a Transcendent, you charge in burning your life for your own beliefs. Watching you, I felt the emotion of being deeply moved for the first time."
He nodded, saying that was why he wanted to fight Raon directly.
"So, what's your impression after meeting me?"
Raon could feel the answer he hadn't yet heard from Bartius and the other dragons through their eyes.
"Better than expected."
Bartius gave his answer without hesitation.
"Your martial prowess and mental strength, nothing was lacking. It was like seeing a massive pillar that could reach the sky."
He smiled for the first time, saying Raon was even more impressive than he had heard in rumors.
"Now I can make a decision with certainty."
Bartius calmly nodded and slightly turned around.
"Don't you agree?"
He looked at the other dragons as if demanding an answer.
"Having crossed hands with him directly, I can't help but acknowledge him!"
The Red Dragon Valasiur raised his clenched fist.
"I like him! He's handsome for a human!"
The Blue Dragon Sirtiren smiled cheerfully and tapped Raon's shoulder.
"He's perfect as a sparring partner, I agree too."
The Black Dragon Dariauran revealed eyes filled with fighting spirit.
"I felt divinity in his sword. His soul is fitting for a mediator."
The White Dragon Bursiarabi also heavily nodded his chin.
"The dragons behind me and I are those who were being supported to become the next Lord from each clan. We're rivals but also have a friendly relationship."
Bartius stepped forward as if representing the dragons.
"Though we may seem immature to you, among dragons, we hold positions of considerable strength."
"I know. You were harder to fight than the Ancient Dragons."
Raon nodded as he looked at Bartius and the dragons behind him.
"Your magic and fighting style were both novel. If you develop further, it won't be easy even for me to subdue you."
It was clear that if they became Ancient Dragons with greatly enhanced mana and physical abilities, they would become strong enough that even he would have difficulty facing them.
"We don't want to live cowardly anymore. As mediators of this dimension, we will expel all beings, whether Archangels descend or Demon Kings manifest."
Bartius raised his chin, declaring that he would take a different path from the Lord.
"Together with the dragons who follow us, we will stand on your battlefield."
He extended his hand forward as if asking them to accept them.
"Can, can we believe those words?"
Dorian swallowed dryly as if asking if it was really okay. He seemed to recall what they had suffered from dragons until now.
"We can trust them."
Raon took Bartius's hand without hesitation.
"Because we've fought."
When you duel someone, you can feel what they're thinking and what their hearts are like. Bartius and the other four dragons were sincerely concerned about this continent.
-Daaamn it!
Wrath screamed as he saw Raon's hand joined with Bartius's.
-This means we can't eat them now!
He clutched his head as if lamenting the loss of tender dragon roast.
-Since it's come to this, bring other Ancient Dragons instead!! Hurry!
***
"Where is the Dragon Lord now?"
Raon looked at Bartius, asking him to share what information he knew.
"We haven't seen the Lord for a long time either. Occasionally, an Ancient Dragon who follows him delivers instructions."
Bartius shook his head, saying that the Lord had been gone for quite some time.
"He's truly pathetic. Not living up to his age."
The Red Dragon Valasiur now openly poured out criticism against the Lord.
"You must know the location of the Lord's lair."
Raon extended his hand, asking them to at least tell him the location of the lair.
"The current Lord hasn't revealed the location of his lair. Only a very few dragons who worship him would know."
The Blue Dragon Dariauran clicked his tongue, calling him a disgusting old man.
"He'll certainly crawl out from hiding when the war in the Human World starts and stand behind the Archangels."
The White Dragon Bursiarabi deeply furrowed his brow. He looked as if he was disgusted by the very fact that the Lord was a dragon.
"It's as he says."
The Black Dragon Dariauran gritted his teeth.
"The Lord and the Ancient Dragons plan to stand behind Derus Robert and annihilate humans."
He stomped his foot roughly, saying this was something a mediator should never do.
"We want to stop the Lord right away, but even we don't know his location now. So..."
Bartius raised his clenched hand.
"We will definitely find the Lord's location before the war in the Human World begins."
He nodded, saying they would find the Dragon Lord before the war with Derus began.
"Did you know about the upcoming war as well?"
Raon let out a thin laugh as he looked at the dragons. He hadn't expected them to know about the war with Derus too.
"Thanks to observing you, we learned that Derus Robert will start a war to conquer the continent in one year."
Bartius wrinkled the bridge of his nose, saying they also obtained information that Derus and the Lord had met.
"To meet and make deals with someone who tries to destroy the world's balance by summoning Archangels, the Lord seems to think of us as mere roadside stones."
He gritted his teeth while muttering the names of Derus Robert and the Lord.
"So that's how it is."
Raon realized that he had gained more allies who would lend him strength as he looked at Bartius and the other dragons.
"As I said, we will stand behind you humans in the war. And until that war breaks out..."
Bartius looked up at the sky with eyes wrapped in light.
"We will find the Lord's location and inform you."
He pounded his chest with his fist as if asking them to trust him.
"Though we just met today, I trust you."
Raon nodded with a smile.
"I'll gladly wait."
"But we also have one request."
Bartius raised one finger.
"Since we will risk our lives fighting in the Human World war, kill all the Archangels who are trying to toy with this world."
He revealed an unwavering, calm gaze as if he would be faithful to his role as a mediator. No, not just Bartius, but all the dragons present shared the same conviction.
"Good."
Raon nodded while striking his chest with his fist like Bartius.
"I promise. My companions and I will also risk our lives to cut down all the Archangels who have descended to this world."
He swore to Bartius and the dragons that he would drive out all the Archangels and Angels.
-T-then you have to send away the Demon Kings too!
Wrath glanced at Raon.
'That's not necessarily true. Bartius only mentioned Angels and Archangels. And I answered in kind.'
Bartius seemed more angry at the Archangels than the Demon Kings and only brought up the Angels. He didn't ask for the Demon Kings to be killed, so it wasn't a false oath.
-Y-you damned con artist, even here!
Wrath furrowed his eyes, saying Raon was truly an impossible human to deal with.
'The other Demon Kings don't cause trouble. They're playing around so modestly that it's bewildering.'
The other Demon Kings, except for Greed and Pride, had no goals like conquering this world or attacking humans. They were only engaged in trivial activities like eating ice cream and looking for lovers, so there was no problem in leaving them alone.
'If they cause any trouble, we can send them away then. Except for you, of course.'
Raon waved his hand, saying they could send everyone away except for Wrath.
-W-why me?
Wrath's lips trembled.
-Just send me away too! You're sucking me dry! Just let me go!
He screamed, saying he would give up everything, so please let him go.
'No way. I still have a lot to extract from you.'
-Aaaargh! Just let me go!
'Nope. Still a long way to go.'
It was when Raon was smiling while watching Wrath throwing a tantrum.
"Are you okay?"
Olga approached from the side as if checking on his condition.
"I'm not hurt anywhere."
Raon raised both arms, saying he was fine.
"After facing five dragons in succession without any injury, you've truly become a monster now."
Olga let out a hollow laugh, saying he was more amazing the more she looked at him.
"Hmm...?"
Bartius narrowed his eyes as he looked at Olga standing next to Raon.
"Are you a human from Suphren?"
"So what?"
Olga answered curtly as if asking why he was calling her.
"Wait, you..."
Bartius examined Olga as if he had seen the wrong person, then his pupils trembled.
"What kind of god are you serving!"